S.African 'Desert' Tommy Helmet.Insignia opinions please!

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Just wondered if anyone could help with the insignia. 17/21 Lancers seem a little doubtful, does anyone know of a possible South African unit? It was brought to a dealer at a show in England by a young lad just looking cash. The dealer didn't recognise it as S.A. and was about to remove the net to inspect the insignia when I stopped him. He had obviously paid buttons for it as he let it go really cheap. Unfortunately I just missed the lad so no history. Adam

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I reckon the net was put on later,possibly in Italy as the helmet shows plenty of wear, stains and stacking,yet the net looks never to have been removed. Adam